Rangpur: Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu today stressed the importance of raising mass awareness and fostering social resistance to shield Bangladesh from the adverse effects of drugs. He pointed out that during the previous government tenures, various drugs were smuggled into the country, affecting a significant portion of the youth.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister highlighted that Bangladesh became a primary destination for the illegal influx of drugs from bordering areas during the Awami League-led regimes. He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at a sapling distribution event for 25 volunteer organizations at the district council hallroom.
Dulu underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts to combat drugs, stating that a drug-free society could be established through the combined efforts of voluntary organizations, social and political leaders, and the general populace, alongside the government. He emphasized the need for voluntary workers to take a leading role in preventing social offenses such as drug abuse, gambling, casino operations, child marriage, and dowry practices.
Addressing the youth, Dulu expressed a vision for building a new Bangladesh and urged them to reject drugs, emphasizing the importance of social resistance in achieving a drug-free nation. Bangladesh is currently grappling with a growing drug addiction crisis, with an estimated 8.2 million users. As the country does not produce narcotics, most are smuggled in from abroad.
A diverse range of narcotics, including yaba and heroin, are smuggled into Bangladesh through over 105 border points across 18 districts, with Dhaka being the main destination for these illegal substances. Phensedyl, crystal meth, and cannabis are also trafficked through three major corridors: the western and northern borders with India and the southeastern border with Myanmar, as detailed in the Annual Drug Report Bangladesh 2025 by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).
Bangladesh shares a 4,156-km border with India and a 271-km border with Myanmar. Entry points in the eastern and western corridors include Satkhira, Jashore, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, and Feni. The northern corridor covers points in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Sherpur, Mymensingh, and Netrakona, while the southeastern corridor, particularly along the Myanmar border, serves as the main route for yaba and crystal meth.
Several points in Teknaf, Ukhiya, Shahparir Dwip, Tumbru, Ghumdhum, Kutupalong, and Saint Martin's Island have been identified as active or vulnerable routes. Leaders from different voluntary organizations also spoke at the function, which was attended by Deputy Commissioner Rashedul Huque Prodhan, senior district BNP leaders, and representatives from various social and voluntary organizations.